Tropical savannas and dry forests

Up to a third of the global population lives in seasonally dry tropical areas and this includes the world's poorest people, who are reliant on the resources savanna and dry forest ecosystems provide, including food, water, medicines, building materials and fuel. Against a background of widespread ecosystem modification and a changing climate, better understanding of ecosystem function and improving restoration and conservation in tropical drylands is urgent to ensure a sustainable future for their rich biodiversity and especially their vulnerable human populations.